CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING HUNDREDS OF SENIORS TO CITY HALL AS THE CUTS ARE DEVASTATING TO SENIOR SERVICES

Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Time: 10:00 am (usually goes for about two hours). The public can testify – register at the hearing that day (go up front on right side of the room to security guard at the desk)
Location: City Hall Chambers – 2nd floor (there is an elevator)

What is happening:
$43 million in proposed cuts to DFTA  - go to www.cscs-ny.org to see Action Alert
There are 13 new Councilmembers so it is very important for a strong showing of seniors as this is the first budget hearing from these Councilmembers. We also need to retain the historic support of City Council for aging services.
Please arrive at 9:45 to get into the Chambers on time.

CSCS and its members need to send a strong message that the cumulative effect of cuts results in less services to older New Yorkers and threatens the infrastructure of community-based agencies.

Please let us know if you are bringing seniors or for further information – Bobbie Sackman, (212) 398-6565 x226 or bsackman@cscs-ny.org (prefer emails).

THE AGING SERVICES NETWORK IS THE BEST – YOU’VE ALWAYS BROUGHT HUNDREDS OF SENIORS TO CITY HALL WHEN WE NEEDED IT – THANK YOU!

Would you like to see new programs at senior  centers? What would you want? What would you think if Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a $25 million new initiative for senior centers? Well, he did on  August 25, 2009.

CSCS developed the idea of Charter Senior  Centers, which would allow some senior centers to create new programs and  services they don’t already offer or expand what they already do - arts,  computer training, tai chi, yoga, health and wellness classes - and maybe an  idea you have. The NYC Department for the Aging would allow senior centers more  flexibility in how they operate every day - lighten up the heavy hand of  government bureaucracy that can waste time and create unnecessary headaches.  Like charter schools, the idea is to bring in new energy and money to senior  centers and lessen bureaucratic control of the every day operations of senior  centers.

So, whaddya think?   Head to the CSCS website for the latest news on Charter Senior Centers.

Senior services continue to take hit after hit. Mayor Michael Bloomberg released his FY10 preliminary budget on January 29th. The proposed plan includes $22 million in cuts to the Department for the Aging - cuts to senior centers, case management, elder abuse, and a pulling back on a planned expansion of meals-on-wheels. It also did not include City Council funds for rent, meals, and vans. DFTA already got cut by $13 million last year and is sustaining state cuts. DFTA eliminated funding for adult day services, intergenerational programs, a gamut of other services plus a 30% cut to caregiver funds. Only elder abuse funds were restored, but for 6 months only.

There continues to be waves of cuts on aging services. With the aging population growing in number and growing poorer in these bad economic times, the city should not be fraying the safety net for seniors even further. Please go to www.cscs-ny.org for our action alert.